UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- Mike Riley, Jordan Poyer and Markus Wheaton just wrapped up their stint on the stage at Pac-12 Media Day, a rather brief question and answer period for the Beavers.

Picked to finish last in the Pac-12 North by the media, Oregon State wasn't exactly in high demand when it was time for Riley & Co. to take the stage. Riley was his ever-optimistic self, though, talking about the good vibe he got from his players in the offseason, and how they're all motivated after the 2011 record.

A few highlights ...

-- Riley said that while there is no doubt sophomore Sean Mannion is the starter going into the 2012 season, "Right now we feel we have two quarterbacks we can win with." ... "From the minute the season was over, (Sean) was on the film, then out throwing with guys. He's shown all the ingredients to take a big jump."

-- Talking about motivation going into fall camp, Wheaton said, "Obviously that 3-9 record hurt us ..." and Poyer interjected and finished, "And that taste in our mouth still hurts."

-- Asked if he has a preference on running back by committee or one premier running back for the 2012 season, Riley smiled and said, "Whatever works out, I'd like 1,800 yards in there."

-- The bottom line, Riley said, is that OSU must run the ball better in order to snap out of this two-year funk. The lack of a good run game has directly correlated with OSU's lack of bowl trips, and Riley says it must change ASAP.

-- Asked if Oregon's success has put some pressure on him and his program, Riley said, "Obviously, Oregon's doing a great job and like USC did 8-9 years ago, they (Oregon) raised the bar, in our state and in our conference. And just like with USC, you've gotta get going and get with it, or get left in the dust ... I think everyone in our conference is getting better because of them."